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In the Open Air Museum, we have not only rebuilt historical workshops, dwellings, barns and stables whose setting portrays the varied everyday life and social history of times gone by, but there are also buildings which were not common in historical terms or whose former significance is not entirely evident today. The purpose of these themed routes is to draw attention to some unusual historical and cultural features. Download Rarities Discovery route

Life in the countryside was always strongly influenced by religion. The Hessenpark Open Air Museum displays a total of seven churches, chapels and synagogues, and three small monuments, as the Christian and Jewish faiths were integrated into everyday life. You can find out about these religious buildings on this themed route under your own steam. If you would prefer to have a guided tour, book the “Religious buildings in the Open Air Museum”.

The Hessenpark Open Air Museum has a wealth of fascinating buildings from different centuries. It’s always worth having a look behind the facades of the churches, school or windmill. This themed route presents buildings which are not only interesting on account of their architecture, but also because of the history of how they and their furnishings were used.

In earlier times, water mills were common throughout Hesse. There were also two types of windmill: the older post mill (Bockwindmühle) where the sails turned in the wind around the whole body of the mill, and the Dutch windmill, where only the upper part has to be positioned accordingly. All three types of mill can be discovered on this themed route in Hessenpark.  

Families find the Hessenpark Open Air Museum particularly fascinating and varied. On the family route, children and adults can discover together how people used to live and work in Hesse. The tour ends at the play area and right opposite is the “Martinsklause”, where you can fortify yourself with refreshments whilst sitting in an atmosphere reminiscent of the 1950s. Download Family route